ok, is this going to be a serious issue?? *updated*

[Ugly Cowboy]

Just curious, what kind of goats are they? If there Nigerian Dwarfs then who are ya gettin 'em from, cuz I've been lookin for some for a while...

 

[mdoerge]

When we picked up our goats (Nigerian Dwarf), we put them in a dog cage/crate in the back of our Suburban. Depending on how much they've been handled, I don't think I would want to take a chance having my kids hold them on their laps. They could get very squirmy and those little feet can hurt! I would put something down on the floor under the cage, because they will poop!

 

[FlightsofFancy]

I am not sure how long a drive you will have in the car, but I highly recommend a pet carrier to transport the goats. They like to potty alot in the car and really goat urine does seem to linger. Err ummm!!! I KNOW from past experience.

Also, If they are not used to being held you really don't want to listen to them scream all the way home. My experience has been that once they are in a crate and especially if there are 2 in there, they will settle down for the ride. I wish I was closer I would let you borrow a crate.
Also, if they are WILD when you get them.... only hand feeding them will really help!!
GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[agnes_day]

Quote:
4acrefarm.com they are in oolagah.
they are pygmies though. ok then, i will definitely get a crate to carry them in. we were just gonna throw some straw in the back and have the kids sit back there and keep them from jumping over the seat. its pretty roomy with one of the seats taken out.

 

[Chirpy]

I, too, brought my two ND babies home in a dog crate in the bed of our pickup. It was very warm and they did great on the way home together. They did cry for hours though... looking for their mommas and sibling.

If you can't get a dog crate then I'd suggest figuring out a way to block off the back end of the Suburban so they are 'trapped' in the grocery area. Put something down on the floor (like a mat or cardboard) and then some straw over that.

Goats are most certainly just like chickens... they just poo and pee wherever they happen to be at the time. And, according to my children... they do it ALL the time!

I don't think it would be safe to have the kids riding in your kids laps. If the goat kids got to freaking and started jumping around... you'd have a potential accident on your hands. It's hard to press that brake pedal with a goat underfoot.

 

[PotterWatch]

I would use carriers as well. I had to drive a couple hours away with all five of our goats last week and our truck had a flat tire that morning. I had two adult goats in dog carriers and the three babies in a rubbermaid tote, all in the back of my van. It got really, really noisy on the way down to where I was going. On the way back, I just had the doe and three babies, and they were all quiet the whole time.

 

[agnes_day]

thanks so much for the advice everyone! i am so very excited, especially since now ill have 3! i just hope it all works out and they dont flip out and try to jump out of the car or something.

 

[Hotwings]

Quote:
OMG! the first time i picked up my piglet..i almost dropped him! he scared the crud outta' me!

This reminds me when Freebie had to hand feed orphan piglets! Oh my god the noise was earth shattering! There isn't nothing more shriller and louder than a squeeling baby pig! It is enough to break your ear drums. The only thing worse would try to pick up a piglet with the sow around!

 

[MissJames]

I'll be getting 2 baby Pygmy goats in March and will also be transporting home in a suburban! LOL
As for the screaming I would think it's normal. Goats are prey animals and on high alert.Being picked up might be alarming for them. Kittens and puppies get carried around by their moms,so it's not unusual for them.Goats don't get picked up by the momma goat so it's unatural. I would suggest sitting on the ground and pulling them into your lap for snuggling.Less stressful.

 

[redhen]

for one of my goats i had to go to NY..4 hours EACH way....i brought puppy diapers...

and held her in my lap with blankets the whole way home..she was only 2 weeks old though..so, she was easy to manage on my lap....i did the same with my other one...that was a 2 hour drive each way....they were both fine in my lap..WITH the puppy diapers on...good luck! and enjoy them!